Part 3/HUMN

14 April 2019

Development of the Topic

Hope is a feeling and desire that something will happen that could bring change. Different authors have explored the theme and subject of hope in various humanistic disciplines. Hope can be expressed through visual art, music, poetry, film, and religion. In most cases, the theme of hope is explored in situations where certain characters are faced with challenging situations which are beyond their scope. These characters only remain with the hope that things will change in their favor. Authors use different styles to bring out this theme by ensuring that lead characters eventually triumph or things improve in their favor. The paper will explore how the theme of hope is brought out Beowulf’s Beowulf (poem), Michael Jackson’s “We are the World” (music) and Lenny Abrahamson’s “Room” (film).

In the poem Beowulf that was authored by Beowulf, the main theme expressed is hope. The poem represents the classic epic battles where characters with supernatural powers fought to protect their people and bring stability in their land. In this poem, Beowulf the main character goes on a mission to help the people of Heorot regain their peace. The people of Heorot were living under threats and constant attacks from Grendel a character who was perceived to be undefeated (Neidorf 555). The journey of Beowulf and subsequent assurance to the leadership of Heorot gave people the hope that they could finally enjoy peace. Even though Beowulf was not believed at first, his reassurances gave people hope that they would ultimately live with peace. Even though the poem has religious symbolism, it gives people hope that their problems will ultimately come to an end. The victory of Beowulf against Grendel was the highlight of the poem where hope saw the light.

The music “We are the World” by Michael Jackson is the other classic example of a humanistic discipline that talks about hope. The song was initially written to persuade people to show love to those who were suffering. While Jackson wrote this song, he wanted to use it to rally the world to extend a helping hand to the people when we are faced with disasters (Jackson 8). The song has gone to be symbolic and has been performed by different artists while targeting a given cause of helping the needy. The song restores the hope of humanity and helping others. The lyrics of this song shows that we are all one and we should help one another. The song draws emotions to both the victim and those who come out to help expressing hope that world problems can be solved when people unite.

The film “Room” has directed by Lenny Abrahamson has numerous scenes that depict hope in the middle of suffering. The film narrates the story of Joy Newsome, a 17-year-old girl who was kidnapped and held for seven years in a shack (Emma n.p). The period of being held and living in a small room highlights the suffering, and psychological torture one goes through in a challenging environment. While being in the hands of the kidnapper, she gets pregnant and gives birth to a boy. The film portrays hope through the actions of the young mother who raises her son in the best way possible (Emma n.p). Newsome teachers her son that their garden shed is all that is out there in the world. The attitude of the young mother give hope especially when a 5-year-old does the narration.

References

Emma, Donoghue. "Room." Film dir. Lenny Abrahamson, screenplay by Emma Donoghue, music by Stephen Rennicks. With performers Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay. StudioCanal (2015).

Jackson, Michael, and Lionel Richie. "We are the world." EMR1579.M8 (1773): P8.

Neidorf, L. “Beowulf before Beowulf: Anglo-Saxon Anthroponymy and Heroic Legend.” The Review of English Studies, vol. 64, no. 266, 2012, pp. 553–573., doi:10.1093/res/hgs108.